Apple has lost a landmark antitrust lawsuit in the United Kingdom after the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) ruled that the company abused its dominant position by charging developers excessive commissions on app sales and in-app purchases. The ruling marks a major setback for the U.S. tech giant, which could now face hundreds of millions of pounds in damages following a hearing next month to determine compensation.
The tribunal found that between October 2015 and December 2020, Apple shut out competition in app distribution on iPhones and iPads, using its monopoly over the App Store to impose “excessive and unfair prices” on developers. The CAT said Apple’s standard 30% commission far exceeded a fair 17.5% rate, and that half of the overcharge was passed on to consumers.
Apple said it would appeal the decision, calling the ruling “flawed” and arguing that its App Store has created a “thriving and competitive app economy.” The case, brought by British academic Rachael Kent on behalf of millions of UK consumers, alleged that Apple had reaped “exorbitant profits” by excluding rivals and enforcing restrictive terms on app developers.
The lawsuit—valued at around £1.5 billion ($2 billion)—is the first major class-action trial brought under the UK’s collective action regime, a system similar to U.S. class actions, which has gained momentum over the past decade. The case also sets a precedent for other pending lawsuits, including a similar claim against Google over its Play Store commissions, set for trial in 2026.
Legal experts say the ruling strengthens the UK’s emerging role as a global hub for consumer antitrust claims and signals growing judicial willingness to hold Big Tech accountable for monopoly pricing.
